Maybe I can find some where cheaper, hold on a sec...

Inside joke...

#22 by Citizen TacoMan2004 - 6/4/2004 7:20:23 PM

So, I'd need to take out one and get a 256 MB on 1 DDR. Ugh. It confuses me. So it's going to cost $ 200. But will this really, actually be a notable change in the processor's speed?

Per Jafo's Yes: I offer the clarification that it WON`T actually change your processor`s speed (and I don't criticize Jafo's answer, either).

More precisely, it will speed up your system's responsiveness and execution of tasks. That's because a greater portion of the data and programs loaded in memory will be stored in "electronic" RAM which is MUCH faster than the hardrive based virtual memory (your pagefile).

My guess on "breed" of memory you need is the same as Shameless Designs'. I priced this same chip at Crucial yesterday (it's what mine would take) and they were around $90. If I could afford $180, I'd buy two and fill it up to 512K which would give you a good boost. I'm afraid 384 MB total might fall short of the potential of your machine.

I wasn't aware that RAM prices are up. Probably the Chinese are buying it up. Hopefully, there's less effect on older style RAM ?? I think I paid around $110 or so 2 years ago for the 2 x 256 RAM modules I bought.

Finally, my Dell bought 12/99 has 3 slots that can take up to 3 x 256 MB DIMMs (I have 2 x 256 plus 1 x 128 = 640). Since this is probably from the same "time-slice" of technology as yours, do you actually mean you only have 2 slots total in your machine for RAM DIMMs ??

I would never ever buy Ram from CompUSA. They are ridiculously over-priced. I got two sticks of Kingston 512MB DDR ram(the fastest possible) for $129 a stick from PC club. Gateway wanted $149, and FRYS wanted $139. I didn't even check the ridiculous prices at CompUSA. But, I will because I'm curious now. I bet that a stick of 256 DDR is going to be over $100 at CompUSA.

I think I paid almost 60 bucks for a stick of 256 2100 DDR at fry's about 6 months ago. I had no choice at that time.

Yup....http://www.newegg.com/app/manufact.asp?catalog=147&DEPA=0

Oops....I read it as increasing system speed....answer was yes......obviously it won't change the clock speed of the processor...

Forgot to add this, but HP gave me a site that had RAM compatiable with my computer, and 256 MB is $ 124.99. Ripoff?

Hmm, the max for my computer is 4GB. Are you sure that the max for your computer is 512MB? That seems a little low for a P4 system.

TacoMan:

Once again adding RAM will have NO EFFECT on the speed of your CPU. It should increase the speed of your SYSTEM. There is a difference.

As far as I'm concerned, replacing only one of your 128 MB RAM modules with one 256 MB module will disappoint you for the trouble you go to opening the machine and so forth. It would be kind of like getting only half a new paint job on your car.

Anyways, it's your money and I can't judge for you the difference between spending $80 versus $160 in this case.

As yrag points out, we can't give you price guidance if we don't know the specs of the RAM sticks you need. My price commentary is only based on a guess that your machine and mine are using the same class of RAM 168 pin (DIMM) SDRAM for PC100 or PC133 motherboards.

I just upgraded myself to a P4 3 Ghtz with 1 GB of ram and right now I'm typing this on a friends computer because configuring this sucker with windows 98 and XP is a nightmare

Good luck You might look into getting VirtualPC instead for running proggies that won't run in XP....all your configuration problems will go away

Well, that''s a damn shame Tacoman. Although your RAM chips are close to what I use, your particular flavor costs $35 more than mine.

That price difference could just be bad luck because of low current production/inventory of your chip versus demand.

BUT, are you positive that''s the only chip Crucial says will go in your machine ? I see it''s registered and has ECC. My $85 chip is NON-ECC but an ECC version of mine is $151 !!!

If your machine will take non-ECC chips you may get a much better price. Bear in mind that, generally, you want all of your RAM modules in the machine to be the same specifications (possibly more incentive to replace both of your chips ).

BTW, I checked NewEgg and it looks like they don''t even carry PC100 RAM. If Crucial lists PC133 chips as compatible for your machine and they were cheaper, I believe you could use them (per Crucial''s guarantee), they just wouldn''t serve you at 133MHz because your system bus is probably 100 MHz. PC133 chips seem to be priced somewhat cheaper than PC100 chips at this time.

Too bad I don''t have any info. that would tell you that PC133 would be OK. Any chance your manufacturer (HP ?) has info regarding using PC133 versus PC100 in your system ???


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